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🏛️Official — WMF
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Don't play through the group ahead; wait until they clear
Mini golf courses are typically played in groups spaced a hole apart. Players wait for the group ahead to finish and leave the hole before teeing off, rather than putting into players who are still on the green or cup area. This is a safety and courtesy norm at courses of all kinds.
Honor system on scoring and counting your own strokes
In casual play, players usually keep their own scorecards and are trusted to count strokes honestly, including penalty strokes for balls leaving the course. Under-reporting a score to win is widely seen as poor sportsmanship.
14.1: Individual categories: Female kids (Kf), Male kids (Km), Kids (K); Female youth (Yf), Male youth (Ym), Youth (Y); General class women (W), General class men (M), General class (G); Female senior 1 (Sf1), Male senior 1 (Sm1), Senior 1 (S1); Female senior 2 (Sf2), Male senior 2 (Sm2), Senior ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that these categories are based solely on age, thinking they can easily figure out which category their mini golf player belongs in by looking at their birth year. However, the confusion arises because the official rules specify that players must look at their physical attributes like height and strength to determine their category, not just their chronological age.
Players and coaches must keep away from the lane and player when the ball is addressed, if possible at least 1 meter (8.5). Aiming help by coaches or other persons is strictly forbidden (8.7).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that coaches are allowed to give verbal instructions like hints about where to aim as long as they're not physically touching the players, which leads to misunderstandings because the official rule explicitly states aiming help by coaches or others is strictly forbidden within 1 meter of the ball.
Coaches may receive an admonition (green card, step 1), banishing from the course for the rest of the day (yellow, step 2) or for the rest of the tournament (red, step 3), each once per tournament (19.2). A banished coach cannot be substituted and may not affect the game in any way (19.6–19.7).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that coaches can only be banned from a single game due to the tournament limitation (19.2), but actually, they can be banned for the entire day or even the whole tournament, with each instance being distinct and separate, not cumulative across games within a single event.
Doping is strictly forbidden (17.1). Playing under the influence of alcoholic beverages/food is forbidden (17.2).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that drinking water is okay in Mini Golf as long as it's not alcoholic, which leads to arguments when they realize their favorite drink contains trace amounts of alcohol or artificial sweeteners are considered food and thus prohibited under Rule 17.2.
Non-permitted putter (3.4) or ball (4.5): shots count and the lane is replayed.; Shots played too early (11.2, 11.4) or lanes played in the wrong order (11.9): shots count and the lane is replayed.; Shot not played from the teeing-off area, incorrect repositioning, or repositioning twice (8.11): ...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if they use a non-permitted putter or ball, their shots don't count at all, which leads to arguments since the official verdict states only the current shot doesn’t count, and the lane is replayed from scratch. The confusion arises because they mistakenly believe any violation results in an immediate disqualification of their entire game instead of just that single shot.
The head referee may order a general interruption (12.1). In thunderstorms in close proximity the tournament must be interrupted immediately regardless of rain (12.3).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the head referee can only call a general interruption during actual rain showers, forgetting about thunderstorms in close proximity which require immediate action per Rule 12.3. They overlook the specific language stating "in thunderstorms in close proximity," leading to misunderstandings and disputes over when such interruptions should occur.
11.1: Lanes are always played in the order 1 to 18. With a shotgun start, players play in sequence from their starting lane (e.g. starting at lane 9: lanes 9-18, then 1-8).; 11.2: A lane can only be played once the previous player has played it and left the playing area; each player must be ready...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that once a lane is played, it can't be replayed, which leads them to think they're stuck with their first choice of lanes if they don't get one they like immediately. However, the rule actually allows for players to choose different lanes based on available timeslots after ensuring previous players have completed their rounds.
Referees may impose, each only once per player per tournament, and noted on the front of the score-card: Admonition (A) — green card.; Admonition and 1 penalty point (A+1) — blue card.; Booking and 2 penalty points (B+2) — yellow card.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that getting a blue card (admonition and 1 penalty point) is just an extra warning before they get a yellow card (2 penalty points), but actually it's a separate punishment for infractions like hitting the ball with their body or not following course rules, which can be given out multiple times per tournament.
Aiming devices, spirit levels and similar devices are forbidden for everyone on the course during a tournament (13.1). g.
Why people argue about this
People often argue that spirit levels are only for pro golfers or professionals, thinking they're too complicated for casual players. In mini-golf, though, the confusion arises because these devices can give an unfair advantage by helping players aim precisely and accurately, which isn't supposed to happen in a fair game.
Protests against refereeing decisions must be in writing to the chairman of the jury within 15 minutes (20.1); in matchplay they are decided on the lane (20.2). Jury decisions are final (20.3).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a protest in mini golf is only valid if it's made verbally on the spot, forgetting about the official requirement for written communication within 15 minutes to the jury chairman. This oversight leads to misunderstandings and disputes when players feel their concerns weren't addressed promptly or adequately.
16.1: A refereeing committee consists of at least one head referee and two referees, preferably from three different nations (international tournaments) or three different clubs (national tournaments).; 16.2–16.3: Members must remain completely neutral. Head referees and referees of World and Con...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the requirement for a head referee and two referees from different nations or clubs is just about adding variety to the officiating team, but actually, it's meant to ensure impartiality by having multiple perspectives on the field of play. They overlook how this structure helps in maintaining objectivity when disputes arise during games.
Printed forms are used as score-cards, with fields for each lane's score, round and tournament totals, penalty points, initials, final signatures and referee remarks. Electronic score-cards may be used (10.12).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that electronic score-cards are only for convenience and don't need all those printed fields, leading to arguments about whether they can use just a digital device instead of paper forms. But actually, the rule specifies both options, so using an electronic system is perfectly acceptable as long as it meets all the required fields and signatures.
10.3: Players may not keep their own scores. The score is kept by the playing partner in the pairing, the lane referee, or an appointed score-keeper. In pairings of more than 2, the last player keeps score for the first, the first for the second, and so on.; 10.4: The score is announced before it...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that they can keep their own score in Mini Golf (WMF) pairings, which leads to arguments when it's clearly stated by the rules that only a designated scorer is allowed to record points for each round. The confusion arises because many players are unaware of this specific detail and its importance in maintaining fairness and consistency across all rounds.
Printed forms are used as score-cards, with fields for each lane's score, round and tournament totals, penalty points, initials, final signatures and referee remarks. Electronic score-cards may be used (10.12).
— Rule 3, Rule 4, Rule 5, Rule 10.2, Rule 13, regulation 3.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that electronic score-cards are strictly forbidden in Mini Golf WMF tournaments, misunderstanding Section 2's allowance for them as long as they meet all other requirements (like having fields for scores, totals, and signatures). They overlook the fact that while printed forms are preferred, digital alternatives are acceptable if they comply with the rule's stipulations.
2.1: A minigolf course has 18 clearly marked, numbered lanes that must follow the standard rules of their system.; 2.2: A tournament-approved lane contains the playing area, the boundary (usually barriers), the marked teeing-off area, optional obstacles, an optional border line (red paint), optio...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that all 18 lanes on a mini golf course are equally important for scoring, which leads them to argue about which ones they should play in during tournaments. However, the official verdict clarifies that only one of these lanes is designated as a "tournament-approved lane," containing everything necessary for gameplay according to standard rules.
Players and coaches must keep away from the lane and player when the ball is addressed, if possible at least 1 meter (8.5). Aiming help by coaches or other persons is strictly forbidden (8.7).
— Rule 14, Rule 15, Rule 16
Why people argue about this
People often assume that keeping a 1-meter distance is just about physical space, forgetting that it also includes time - they think they can stand closer if their coach isn't giving them aiming advice at the moment, but the rule actually prohibits coaching of any kind during ball addressing, period.
The head referee may order a general interruption (12.1). In thunderstorms in close proximity the tournament must be interrupted immediately regardless of rain (12.3).
— Rule 11, Rule 8, Rule 12
Why people argue about this
People often argue that a thunderstorm should only interrupt play if it's happening directly overhead, forgetting that lightning can strike miles away from where it's raining. They misunderstand that "close proximity" in this context means considering all potential danger zones around the course, not just immediate rain coverage.
9.1: Each stroke counts as one point. If the ball is not holed after 6 strokes, one further point is added, so the highest possible score on a lane is 7. The score is also 7 if a player stops playing a lane before holing out. If a lane is unplayable, all players receive the same score for it, det...
— Rule 10
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a ball is not holed after 6 strokes, they automatically get an extra point for the 7th stroke, forgetting about the condition where all players receive the same score if a lane becomes unplayable. This oversight leads to disputes over whether the 7th stroke counts or not when the lane is deemed too difficult to play.
Referees may impose, each only once per player per tournament, and noted on the front of the score-card: Non-permitted putter (3.4) or ball (4.5): shots count and the lane is replayed.; Shots played too early (11.2, 11.4) or lanes played in the wrong order (11.9): shots count and the lane is repl...
— Rule 18.2, Rule 17, Rule 19, Rule 20
Why people argue about this
People often argue that they played their shots in order and didn't use a non-permitted putter, yet still get penalized for an incorrect lane order (11.9), thinking it's unfair since they followed all other rules correctly. The confusion arises because the rule isn't always clearly understood or applied consistently to different scenarios within Mini Golf World Match Format tournaments.
12.3: In case of thunderstorms in close proximity, the tournament must be interrupted immediately regardless of rain.; 12.4: When interruption is ordered it is immediate, unless a ball already past the border line can be completed, in which case the player may choose to complete or interrupt. The...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a ball is already past the border line, players can choose whether to finish their turn or interrupt early due to safety concerns. However, the actual rule states they must complete their current shot before deciding on an interruption, which leads to confusion and arguments about when exactly they should stop play.
5.1: Uniform team clothing from the waist upwards and sports shoes are required. Membership of a minigolf club or association must be shown on the clothing (exception: bad-weather clothes).; 5.2: During the official opening and victory ceremonies on the course a team must present a uniform appear...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that "Sportswear" means they can wear anything as long as it's clean and appropriate for their personality, but actually, the rule specifies a uniform from the waist up with sports shoes, plus proof of membership if attending official ceremonies, regardless of weather conditions. They overlook the requirement to show club affiliation during special events.
15.1: One substitute is allowed per team unless regulations or invitations state otherwise, named before the invitation deadline, or at the latest 30 minutes before the scheduled start.; 15.3: A substitute may be brought in at any time after a finished lane, including during a play-off. If the su...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that substitutes can only enter during play-offs, which is a common misconception since Rule 15.3 clearly states they can be brought in at any point after a lane has finished, even mid-game. The confusion arises because this rule isn't always emphasized or explained thoroughly enough to cover all scenarios where substitutions might be needed.
4.1: All minigolf and golf balls of any material are permissible.; 4.2: Diameter must be between 37.0 mm and 43.0 mm (1.46 to 1.69 in). A ball must not bounce more than 85 cm (33.5 in) when dropped on concrete from a height of 1 m (39.4 in) at 25 °C, and must weigh less than 120 grams (4.2 oz).; ...
— regulation 3.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that all balls are created equal in terms of material and size, forgetting about the crucial weight requirement under 120 grams. This oversight leads to arguments because they overlook how ball weight affects bounce performance, which is a key aspect for fair play in mini-golf games.
3.1: Minigolf and golf putters may be used. Other golf clubs are permitted only if the system-specific rules define so.; 3.2: The putter must have no gadgets for aiming. Notches and lines on the putter head are permitted.; 3.3: The area of the putter face must not exceed 40 square centimetres (ab...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since putters are explicitly allowed in Mini Golf (WMF), they can use any kind of putter with gadgets for aiming, which is actually prohibited according to Rule 3.2. The rule specifically states notches and lines on the putter head are permitted, but gadgets like laser sights or other aiming aids are not. This leads to confusion about what exactly constitutes a "gadget.
7.1: A player must finish each lane with the ball with which the lane was begun. 7.2: A ball badly damaged in the referee's opinion, or lost and not found within 5 minutes, may be replaced; the next stroke is taken from the last resting position.; 8.1: A ball in play can only be moved by a stroke...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if a ball is damaged or lost in their lane, they can simply replace it and start over from wherever it ended up, which isn't allowed according to Rule 7.2. The confusion arises because this rule specifically states that only the stroke itself moves the ball, not replacing it entirely.